40 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



and may last from a few months to one or two years. Sheep manifest symp- 

 toms very similar to those above described. 



Treatment. When the disease has reached the advanced stage, treatment 

 is of no avail as recovery does not occur. If, however, the afflicted animals 

 are taken early in the course of the disease and placed on pasture where loco 

 weeds do not exist, and are given good nourishing food, there is hope of re- 

 covery. 



Prevention, which of course is the most desirable, is not always practicable. 

 Animals do not as a rule become addicted to the loco habit when they have 

 plenty of wholesome food and salt. 



There are no demonstrable lesions other than emaciation. (Stuhr). 



The recent investigations of Marsh and Crawford lay considerable stress 

 on the presence of barium in the plants and the Bureau of Animal Industry, 

 Washington, D. C, recommends the following treatment: for cattle, strychnin 

 in doses of three-twentieths to four-twentieths of a grain daily, administered 

 hypodermically; for horses. Fowler's solution of arsenic in half-ounce doses 

 daily in the drinking water or in the grain. This treatment should be continued 

 for at least a month; To correct the constipation which is almost universal in 

 locoed animals, magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt) may be administered as a 

 drench in two-ounce doses. Epsom salt may also serve to some extent as an 

 antidote to the poison produced by the weeds. Beneficial results have also been 

 obtained by giving horses daily a drench containing two ounces of Epsom salt 

 with ten drops of dilute sulphuric acid, and by giving cattle tri-weekly three 

 or four ounces of Epsom. salt with a proportional increase in the quantity of 

 dilute sulphuric acid. 



As the foregoing treatments are in the experimental stage, the Bureau of 

 Animal industry of Washington, D. C, would be glad to receive reports from 

 their use. 



The value of keeping stock away from these poisonous plants is indicated 

 in some investigations that have been carried on by the Bureau of Forestry and 

 the Bureau of Plant Industry. In many cases the ranges are becoming practical- 

 ly useless on account of these poisonous plants and if used the losses are so 

 heavy as to materially reduce the profits of the business. In the Manta Forest 

 Reserves in Utah for instance, it was found that the death of sheep was due to 

 their browsing upon the chokecherry. Certain portions of the old trail were 

 abandoned, and along other portions the chokecherry bushes were cut out. The 

 method of handling the sheep was also changed. Instead of large bands which 

 could be moved but slowly, smaller bands were trailed, and so far as possible 

 they were allowed to fill up on healthy forage before entering the dangerous 

 area. The trail was also improved wherever practicable and by this means it 

 was possible to get the sheep through in much better shape and with little or 

 no loss. The Department has also, in some instances, adopted the plan of 

 flagging the area in which these injurious plants occur. 



This is a disease of sheep and horses especially, caused by 

 Lupinosis. eating the seeds and straw of the lupine. Cattle and goats are also 

 susceptible and the dog has been poisoned experimentally. There 

 are many species of the lupine growing in various parts of the United States, 

 although the yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus) is the most toxic. The nature 

 of the toxic agent found in the lupines has not as yet been determined. 

 Arnold and Schneidemiihl succeeded in isolating a chemical poison and 



